Coil supporting head for metal strip uncoilers



K. L. BANDY Aug. 19, 1958 COIL SUPPORTING HEAD FOR METAL STRIP UNCOILERSFiled June 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOI KENNETH L.BANDY ATTORNEYK. L. BANDY Aug. 19, 1958 COIL SUPPORTING HEAD FOR METAL STRIP UNCOILERSFiled June 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QOIL SUPPORTING HEAD FOR METALSTRIP UNCOILERS Application June 14, 1955, Serial No. 515,478

2 Claims. (Cl. 24278.6)

The present invention relates to the art of coiling and uncoiling metalstrip, and has particular reference to an improved apparatus forincorporation in a metal strip coiler or uncoiler for supporting coilsof material during winding or unwinding operations.

My present invention is concerned primarily with uncoiling apparatus ofthe so-called cone type, wherein a pair of coil supporting heads aremounted for movement toward and away from each other in such manner asto provide for the gripping and supporting of a coil between the heads.Depending upon whether the operation may be that of winding or forming acoil, or of unwinding or uncoiling, one or more of the coil supportingheads is usually provided with power means to either rotate the coil orto retard its rotation. Thus, it is desirable to firmly grip the coilwithin its center opening and in some cases also along its side edges.

One of the most common arrangements for gripping the internal opening ofa metal coil involves the use of the so-called expanding head, wherein acoil gripping member is comprised of a plurality of segments which maybe inserted within the eye or center opening of a coil and thereafterexpanded into tight gripping engagement with the side walls of theopening. The present invention deals with the expanding head typeuncoiler apparatus, and has as its primary or ultimate object theprovision of an improved expanding head structure which is of arelatively simple and economical construction and which is operative inan improved and expeditious manner to grip and support coils of metalstrip for coiling or uncoiling.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a novelexpanding type coil gripping and supporting head having an improvedhydraulically operated mechanism for expanding and contracting theseveral coil gripping segments. And in this respect the inventionfurther contemplates the provision of a hydraulically operated expandingtype coil supporting head having a plurality of coil gripping segments,and having hydraulic operators for some but less than all of suchsegments.

Another specific object of the invention is the provision of amulti-segment hydraulically operated coil gripping head having a novelcombined hydraulic and mechanical means for actuating the coil grippingsegments. T he arrangement is such that certain of the plurality of coilgripping segments may be actuated directly by ine-ans of hydraulicdevices or actuators, While others of the segments are operatedsynchronously by means of a novel mechanical interconnection with thehydraulically driven segments.

Another object of the invention is the pro-vision of a novel expandingtype coil gripping and supporting head having a plurality ofsynchronously actuated COil gripping segments which is characterized bya novel and simplified arrangement for mounting and guiding the segmentsfor radial movement on the head assembly.

The above and other objects and advantages of the ing 2,48,177 ECPatented Aug. 19, 1958 vention will become apparent upon fullconsideration of the following detailed specification and accompanyingdrawing wherein is illustrated a certain preferred embodiment of theinvention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a complete uncoiler apparatus havingimproved coil supporting heads constructed in accordance with theteachings of my inventron;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of one of the coil supporting headsincorporated in the apparatus of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a section view taken along line III-III of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, and initially to Figure 1 thereof, thenumeral 10 designates the base structure of an uncoiler apparatus whichis comprised of heavy steel structural members and which is disposed intransverse relation to the line of movement of strip material. Upon eachend portion of the base 10 are mounted pairs of rails or tracks 11 whichextend toward the center of the base and which slidably support opposedcoil supporting stands 12 and 13. On each of the stands 12 and 13 ismounted a bearing housing 14 or 15. These housings are axially alignedand serve to anti-frictionally support inwardly extending spindle shafts16 and 17.

On the overhanging inner end portions of the spindle shafts 16 and 17are mounted coil supporting heads 18 and 19, to be described in furtherdetail, which are adapted to be received within the eye opening of acoil 20 of metal sheet or strip.

In accordance with preferred practice, one of the stands 12 is providedwith drive means, including an electric motor 21, gear box 22 and clutchassembly 23, to rotate the spindle 16 and coil supporting head 18 forthe initial threading of strip from a newly mounted coil. The oppositestand 13 is provided with a braking device M by means of which thespindle 17 and coil supporting head 19 may be braked to retard therotation of a coil during the paying oif of strip therefrom.

Also in accordance with preferred practice the coil supporting stands 12and 13 are connected to the base 1%) through hydraulic actuators 25 and26, by means of which the stands 12 and 13 may be separated or movedtogether, or shifted laterally in unison to adjust the position of thecoil 20 with respect to the strip processing equipment, not shown, whichmay be associated with the uncoiler. And preferably there is providedcontrol means of the type disclosed in my prior application Ser. No.429,239, filed May 12, 1954, for Strip Uncoiler and Control Therefor,which has since matured into Patent No. 2,800,288 and is assigned to theassignee of the present invention, whereby the coil 20 may be maintainedunder a constant predetermined gripping pressure at all times, includingtimes when the supporting stands are shifted laterally in unison toadjust the position of the coil.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the coil supporting heads 18 and 19are comprised of heavy circular body sections or members 27 in which areprovided at ninety degree angles a plurality of radially extending slots2(5- 31. The body member 27 is bored centrally to receive the shoulderedforward end of the spindle shaft 1'6 or 17, as shown in Figure 3.

Secured to the front face of the body mernb r 27 by bolts or othersuitable means, is a disc-like cover plate 32 having a plurality ofangularly spaced radially di-- rected slots therein, corresponding withthe slots 23-31 in the body member. When the cover 32 is in itsassembled position the slots 23-31 are defined by inwardly facingchannellike grooves, as indicated at 32:: in Figure 3. Within the thusdefined slots are slidably received heavy chuck mounting members orslides 33 and 3 in reference to Figure 2, chuck mounting members 34, ofa first type, are received in the vertical slots 28 and 39, while chuckmounting members 33, of a second type, are received in the horizontalslots 29 and 31.

Exteriorly, both of the forms of chuck mounting members 33 and 34- aresimilar in appearance. Each has a heavy square or rectangular bodysection 33:: or S la with integral outwardly extending flanges 33!; or341. The side edges of the flanges 33b and 3411 are smoothly finished,and are slidably supported and guided by the side edges of the groovedslots 32a.

In accordance with the eachings of the invention the outer edges of theflanges 33b and 34b are provided with gear teeth, in the form of a rack330 or Me, which ongage with pinions 35.

Between each two adiacent chuck supporting members or slides 33 and 34there are provided a pair of intermeshing pinions 35 which are journaledon the circular body member ..7'. Each of these pinions is positionadjacent to and in meshing engagement with a slide 33 or 34. Thearrangement is such that movements of one of the slides will cause acorresponding rotation of the pinion 35 associated therewith. Thismotion is transmitted through the second pinion of the pair thereof tothe next slide member, imparting an equal motion thereto. Thus, sincethere is provided a pair of intermeshing pinions 35 between each of theslides 3-3 and 34 movement of any one of the slides will be duplicatedby the others, through a direct and positive balanced drive system.

Also in accordance with the teachings of the invention, some, but lessthan all of the slides 34 are provided with hollow cylindrical interiorsdefining cylinder walls 36. in the illustrated and preferred apparatusthe modified slides 34 are two in number and are located directlyopposite each other.

Received internally of the modified slides 34 are piston members 37which are aflixed to piston rods 38, the iatter being in turn secured inradially extending relation to the inner portion or hub of the circularbody member 27. Internally of the piston rods 33 are axial bores orpassages 39 and 4% (see Figure 3) which communicate with radial bores atthe inner ends of the piston rods 38 and which terminate on oppositesides of the piston members 37. The bores 39 and 40 are arranged toreceive fluid under pressure. each acting alternately as intake andoutlet passages. Thus, upon movement of fluid in an intake directionthrough the passage 4% fluid is delivered into the space between theupper end of the piston 37 and the upper end of the hollow slide 34.This forces the slide in an outwardly direction. And through theinterlocking train of pinions and slides the other slides move equallyin the same direction. Moreover, it is contemplated that fluid pressurewill be applied simultaneously and in the same manner to both of themodified slide assemblies 34 so that there is at all times a balance offorces upon the several slide members.

To retract the slide members fluid is directed through passages 39, intothe lower chamber formed between the bottom of pistons 37 and thebottoms of the modified slide members 34. This forces the slidesinwardly, to- Ward the center of the circular body member 27 in an equaland simultaneous manner.

Connecting the internal fluid passages 39 and 40 of the piston rods 38are conduits 41 and 42 which connect with the end and side wallrespectively of the spindle 17. Internally of the spindle 17 areprovided a pair of coaxial fluid passages 43 and 44 which communicatewith conduits 41 and 42 respectively.

At the outer end of each of the spindles 16 and 17 there is provided arotary fluid coupling 45 or 46 having a pair of fluid ports whichconnect with a suitable hydraulic source and controls not shown. Thearrangement is such that either of the coaxial passages in the spindles16 and 17 may be connected to the fluid pressure source, while the otherpassage is connected to exhaust, regardless of the rotary position ormovement of the spindles.

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be observed that the outwardlyfacing side of each of the slide members 33 and 34 is provided with aflange or shoulder 47 adjacent its radially inward end. Seated upon thisshoulder and secured rigidly to the face of each of the slides is achuck segment 48 which is provided with an integral outwardly extendingarcuate foot 49, the outer end por tion of which is tapered somewhat.

When the slides 33 and 34 are in their innermost or retracted positions,in response to application of fluid ElflSSdIE to passages 39, the chucksegments 48 are converged at the center of the circular body member 27,in such manner as to define generally a relatively small cylinder. Inthis position the chuck segments may be readily inserted Within the eyeopening of a coil of metal strip or sheet, after which fluid pressuremay be applied to passages 40 to simultaneously, uniformly and forciblyexpand the chuck segments radially outward. In this manner the coil isfirmly gripped and accurately centered with respect to the spindle axes.

During the course of an uncoiling operation the convolutions of the coilmay slip, tending to enlarge the center opening. However, it will bereadily understood that by the continued application of hydraulicpressure a continued firm grip upon the coil will be maintained at alltimes.

It should thus be apparent that I have fulfilled the several objectsinitially set forth. The improvement resides primarily in the structureof the coil supporting heads 18 and 19, wherein there are provided aplurality of mo:- able coil supporting chuck segments, less than all ofwhich are hydraulically driven, with the remainder being mechanicallyinterconnected in a novel manner whereby movement of all of theplurality of segments is equal and simultaneous under all conditions.

Perhaps the most important single feature of novelty is the provision ofa plurality of chuck segment supporting slides which intermesh onopposite sides with pairs of synchronizing pinions in such manner thatmovement of any of the slides either causes or is caused by move ment ofthe other slides. And in this respect, my apparatus is an improvementover such prior arrangements as disclosed by the Meredith Patent No.2,558,05 5 wherein a plurality of chuck segments, all hydraulicallydriven, are synchronized in movement by means of a mechanicalinterconnection. In my present apparatus, less than all of the segmentsare driven hydraulically, from an external supply source, while theremainder of the segments are driven mechanically through meansinternally of the coil supporting head. The structure as a whole isthereby substantially simplified and rendered more economical toconstruct, operate and maintain.

It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiment hereinillustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as manychanges may be made therein without departing from the clear teachingsof the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the followingappended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a metal strip uncoiling apparatus for Winding and reeling metalstrip the combination of a base, a support slidably mounted on saidbase, a spindle journalcd on said support, a coil supporting headmounted on one end of said spindle, said coil supporting head comprisinga heavy generally circular body member, said body memher having aplurality of angularly spaced radial slots therein, slide membersmounted in said slots for radial movement, coil supporting chucksegments mounted on said slide members, said slide members each havingoutwardly extending flanges, the outer edge portions of all of saidflanges having gear teeth, pairs of pinions journaled on said coilsupporting head between and meshing with said gear teeth of adjacentslide members, alternate ones of said slide members having pistonmembers received therein, piston rods connected to said piston membersand said spindle, conduit means comprising passageways in said spindleand said piston rods for directing fluid to either side of said pistons,and means for directing fluid under pressure to said passageways wherebyall of said slide members are moved synchronously and forcibly inexpanding or retracting radial directions.

2. In a metal strip uncoiler for winding and reeling metal strip thecombination of a base, a support slidably mounted on said base, aspindle journaled on said support, a coil supporting head mounted on oneend of said spindle, said coil supporting head comprising a generallycircular body member, said body member having four equal angularlyrelated slots therein, slide members mounted in said slots for radialmovement, a chuck segment mounted on each of said slide members, each ofsaid chuck segments having a foot portion projecting inwardly from saidbody member for entry endwise into a coil of strip, said slide membershaving outwardly extending flanges along the edges thereof, each of saidflanges having gear teeth therealong, four pairs of meshing pinionsjournaled on said coil supporting head between and meshing with saidgear teeth of said slide members, alternate ones of said slide membersbeing formed with an internal cylinder, a piston member received in eachof said cylinders, piston rods rigidly connected to said piston membersand said spindle, and conduit means comprising passageways in saidspindle and said piston rods for directing fluid to opposite sides ofsaid piston members, the arrangement being such that all of said slidemembers are forcibly and synchronously moved in a radial direction uponproper application of fluid to said alternate slide members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Pridyet al. Mar. 4,

